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A virulent disease has broken out across the roller derby community, turning skaters into blood thirsty Zom-B’s. WFTDA has declared a major Jamdemic.

Six teams of specialists from across Europe have declared their commitment to finding a cure for the disease. The virus is spreading fast and they have only 2 days in which to plan their strategy, use their strengths and skill and secure the sought after antidote trophy. Only one team will be victorious.

Who will save humanity?

This Halloween, Central City Rollergirls present their annual B Team Roller Derby tournament. The event started in 2014 with a one day tournament and has now grown into a bigger, bolder tournament across two whole days. This year the tournament is called JAMdemic and will see 6 teams from across Europe battle it out for supremacy! Last year’s winners London Rollergirls Batter C will return to defend their title but the other teams won’t be making it easy for them. Announced so far we have Tiger Bay Brawlers B, Leeds Whip Its, Brussels Roller Derby Pixies, Central City B Team, and one more to be announced.

Come join in on the fun! It’s a family friendly event, with roller derby, stalls, raffle, and so much more. Tickets are available here:

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Tournament season is upon us again and the annual pilgrimage to Championships showcases some of the fiercest competition seen in the sport. Derby fans the world over tune in at all hours to share the joy and heartbreak of their favourite teams. We have already seen some stellar match ups from D2 and D1 events and with 3 playoffs weekend remaining there is still so much to come.

Playoffs & Champs Tournament season is very much the pinnacle of the officiating calendar too. The very best in the world assemble to showcase their talent and to oversee fair play and game flow for several weekends of the year.

This playoffs cycle sees CCR Official Metal Ed attending his second D1 playoffs and representing the UK in Vancouver. With nearly 6 years of high level officiating under his belt and no stranger to making history, Ed will be the first British skating official to have made the pick for D1 playoffs for two consecutive years.

We caught up with Ed to ask him a few questions about his upcoming travels:

As an Official how do you get to be selected for Playoffs?

It’s not easy, building up a reputation as a good official is always a good start, so I’d recommend travelling and getting your name out there. It’s easier said than done as it can be a very expensive journey! Building up to sanctioned play but knowing where and when to move up to the next level is also important; moving up too far too fast can leave you treading water and not performing well which can hurt your chances of advancement.

Are you looking forward to Playoffs this season?

Yes! It’s always a nice high level of play that’s very challenging and rewarding. To be able to get to go two years running feels very accomplishing.

Do you have any tournament survival tips/things you swear by at events?

If you’re not on first, watch the first game as a crew, it’ll help get in the right frame of mind, help the crew get to know one another and to watch and discuss incidents on track to ensure consistency and good metrics. Eat well (don’t rely on sweets!) and stay hydrated. I like to sit down in the quiet after a particularly loud or busy game, just helps me to decompress and relax.

Do you have any predictions for who we might see progress to champs?

I don’t usually do predictions, but the brackets make for some very good match ups!

You’ve a had lot of success over your Officiating career, what advice do you have for any aspiring officials out there who want to get to tournaments like Playoffs?

Travel, help get your name out there and start building up a reputation for yourself. Unfortunately for playoffs it means heading to America to officiate, so future CHRs and THRs can see you in action and not make assessments from paperwork.

From all of us at CCR we want to wish Ed all the best for Vancouver and D1 Playoffs this year! We know he’ll be fab.

You can catch all the action and join us in cheering Ed on from the 16th of September.

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As the sun rises on Thursday 21st July, three of Central City Rollergirls’ finest will take their places on the world stage as they represent at the 2nd Men’s Roller Derby World Cup. Twenty one teams from around the world will travel from their home countries to Calgary, Canada to compete in the 4 day event. Central City Rollergirls will be watching closely and cheering loudly as Head Coach illBilly, Line Up Manager James Brown and referree Rollin’ Rat all make the trip over the pond. We caught up with them before they jetted off to find out about their preparations and plans.

Illbilly has been Head Coach at CCR for 2 seasons and will be travelling with Team England as a skater. This will be Billy’s second World Cup.

How have you prepared for the World Cup?
Billy: Recently I have been trying to take it day by day and game by game due the amount of things happening and training sessions going on and I have found it quite beneficial to keep stress levels down and keep focused on the jobs in hand. Our team is looking incredibly strong and ready and I have a huge amount of confidence in what we can achieve this year. The real preparation has been the countless months training on the track and off it to be ready for the Men’s World Cup 2016.

How do you keep your tummy happy and energy up on tournament weekends?
Billy: I follow quite a strict routine at competitions like these. I will make sure I have healthy carbohydrate rich food throughout the weekend. I will have my last meal three hours before the game and maybe have a small energy supplement or jelly like snack at half time but often don’t eat anything until afterwards. I just stay hydrated with small sips of water because there is nothing worse than drinking to much liquid when you are working really hard. Afterwards I will eat almost immediately with the option of protein shake type supplement.

What are you most looking forward to about the World Cup?
Billy: Skating with my team mates, my brothers in arms is something I really enjoy. Standing up on the track at the world cup and singing your national anthem is one of the best ways to get hyped up ready to play. It’s a feeling like no other. Also I’m looking forward to meeting new people and seeing good friends.

Do you have any post-tournament touristy plans?
Billy: There is a Native American festival called the Calgary Stampede and I’m hoping to catch the closing day! Also I like going swimming so might find a lake or a river to go and swim in maybe and I’ll try hit the roller disco or two.

What’s your favourite Canadian thing or person?
Billy: I love maple syrup and that Sum41 song fat lip was pretty good. Maybe I could see an ice hockey game while I’m there too!

James Brown has been Line Up Manager at CCR (under the moniker Rick Rosster) for almost 2 seasons, as well as walking the boards as an announcer the length and breadth of the country. This weekend you’ll be hearing more of James’ dulcet tones as he announces online and trackside.

How have you prepared for the World Cup?
JB: I’ve been checking out the international teams Facebook pages etc and have tried to take care of my voice as per some instructions from a speech and language therapist I’m friendly with. Oh and I’ve announced some Tier 1 Mens British Championship games that has quite a few representatives of the national teams (particularly European ones)

How do you keep your tummy happy and energy up on tournament weekends?
JB: I don’t really bother with breakfast but usually bring something for lunch like a sandwich or salad if Boots Manuva (Helen) has made it and try to scav a bit of water.

What are you most looking forward to about the World Cup?
JB: I’d like to announce a game Illbilly is playing in and hopefully I’ll get a sticker for my clipboard (I have low expectations).

Do you have any post-tournament touristy plans?
JB: Looking to go to Edmonton to see the mall that has a water park and a cinema and a nightclub and a comedy club and a casino in, with any luck I’ll pick up some nice trainers there. Also the Olympic park and Banff to see the Rockies and some baseball batting cages are on the list too.

What is your favourite Canadian thing or person?
JB: I think my favourite Canadian person is Michael J Fox, back to the future, secret of my success and all that, kinda speaks for itself don’t it. A special mention goes out to Bret Hart and Justin Bieber, I have a Justin Bieber impression that I do.

Rollin’ Rat is a highly experienced and long established referee and has officiated at CCR for 7 years. This will be Ratty’s third World Cup, as he previously officiated in the first Men’s World Cup in 2014 held in his home town Birmingham and at the Women’s 2014 World Cup in Dallas.

How have you prepared for the World Cup?
Ratty: I have been refereeing as much as possible at games around the UK as well as regularly attending CCR scrimmage sessions since the turn of the year. I have also been lucky enough to be able to referee very high levels of game play at The European Smackdown 2016, 2016 A Skate Odyssey and also at Beach Brawl in Miami. I feel it is very important to prepare as best as possible prior to a tournament to get you in the mindset and your body ready for high level games which is why I also train outside of skating either at home or at the gym.

How do you keep your tummy happy and energy up on tournament weekends?
Ratty: I am probably the worst for eating the right things prior to a tournament or during a tournament. I am trying to eat more healthily but I can’t help that I love a good pie. I try and eat protein bars and snack bars on game day and make sure I take on water (I don’t like water). I am also likely to have a bag of jerky in my kit bag.

What are you most looking forward to about the World Cup?
Ratty: I can’t wait to see how the teams have grown and to see how the level of game play has changed across the world since the Men’s World Cup in Birmingham. I am also looking forward to seeing some of my derby family again.

Do you have any post-tournament touristy plans?
Ratty: While I am in Calgary I am going to try and see some of the sights and fit in as much as possible around what looks like a busy derby schedule. After the tournament I will be flying down to Vegas to attend RollerCon where I will be attending as an Official as well as a Player which I am really excited about. I am sure there will be a casino or two visited.

Following RollerCon I will be flying over to New York for a couple of days that will have nothing to do with Derby which is a novelty when it comes to my travels. I am really excited that this entire trip I will be travelling with my Wife “Verry Cherry” who will also be playing at RollerCon so hopefully we can get to play on the same or opposite teams.

Tinch: What is your favourite Canadian thing or person?
Ratty: I will probably have to say Michael J Fox as he was in some of my favourite films. Back to the Future Trilogy and Teen Wolf.